Information obtained by measuring and analysing the physical attributes of objects and events, which makes it possible to characterise, locate and identify them.
Definition after ODNI: MASINT is information derived from quantitative and qualitative analysis of the physical attributes of objects and events; the discipline draws on a range of physical phenomena and a variety of sensors and platforms. According to ODNI, the functional manager for MASINT in the US Intelligence Community is the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, and MASINT services common to many agencies are provided by the National MASINT Office.1
The International Spy Museum describes MASINT as a form of technical collection that uses signatures beyond the ordinary scope of IMINT and SIGINT. According to ODNI, SIGINT covers the interception of communications (COMINT), electronic emissions (ELINT) and foreign instrumentation signals (FISINT). The CIA's glossary counts MASINT among the disciplines that all-source intelligence brings together.1,2,3
Sources
- Office of the Director of National Intelligence (USA), What is Intelligence?
- International Spy Museum (Washington, DC), Language of Espionage (glossary)
- CIA, Spy Speak Glossary
Checked: 4 November 2026